Spring Break is a fantastic time to get away, but for some of us, we either can’t, or we don’t have the time to get away from home. If you’re going to be home with your kiddos, you might want some fun spring break ideas.

Ideas if you are staying home:

• Pretend you are at the beach in your home or backyard. Lay out the beach towels, make beach snacks, play with some sand, and make some fun beachy drinks. (We love these smoothie recipes from Yummy Toddler Food!)
• Go on a picnic in one of our parks. If it is nice, wade in a river and see what you can find. Make sure to check out the Knox County Park District’s website for a full listing of county parks and information about their fun events throughout the year!
• Start an indoor garden that can be moved outside after the last frost. Plant vegetables & herbs.
• Be creative and try some new art ideas. Make mosaics out of old magazines. Just cut up pieces from the magazines into creative shapes. Sketch a design on paper and use the pieces to fill it in.
• Find some fun recipes and have a baking day. We love the healthy recipes from Eating on a Dime, My Plate, and Celebrate Your Plate.
• Set up a treasure hunt in the house. Hide something and post clues around the house for your kids to find. Or make a treasure map for your kids to use to find the treasure!
• Make Top 10 lists. 10 things they want to do this week. 10 things they want to learn this year. 10 things that make them smile. 10 jokes to tell someone. 10 favorite movies. 10 things that make them sad. Put all the lists together in a simple book and refer to them all year. 
• Write a story together and have your kids illustrate it. 
• Set up some board games and have a game day. Maybe invite some friends over and have them bring along their favorite games, too.
• Create an obstacle course in the backyard. Leaves, chairs, outdoor toys, balls and more can all come together to be an obstacle course.
• Get some chalk and have an art day on the driveway or sidewalk. Write some inspirational messages for the neighbors. 
• Rainy or cold? Make a fort with pillows, blankets and furniture. Eat a snack or lunch in the fort. 
• Head out to the library and get a stack of books to read together. We are lucky in Knox County to have a great library system with lots of activities for all ages - make sure to check out their calendar of events for fun happenings throughout spring break. 
• Put those tablets to work outside with some of these apps that bridge outdoor fun and interactive tablet games. Your kids will beg to go outside and “play”. 
• Get out a timer and have your kids time themselves (and you!) while performing activities. How long can your child stand on one foot, bounce a basketball, jump rope, spin in a circle, jump with both feet, or run across the yard and back? Involve your kids and have them come up with different movements and activities. It might be fun to create a chart and see if they can increase or decrease their times. 

Nearby places to explore:

If you do get some time, head out for the day and do some exploring. Some of these are in Knox County and others are a bit further away. 

In Knox County:

• Ariel-Foundation Park features an observation tower, trails around the Pittsburgh Plate Glass factory ruins, and more.
• This list for Knox County Parks & Nature Preserves is full of great ideas for local places to explore.
• This blog is full of fun ideas for Mount Vernon and surrounding areas. A dog park, an environmental center, waterfall and a train are some of the highlights.

Nearby but out of the county:

• If the weather cooperates, pack a picnic lunch and head to one of the many Ohio Metro Parks. Spend the day hiking, exploring, having a picnic, and maybe flying a kite. Some parks might be offering activities too, so check out this website.
• The Columbus Zoo always has something new to see or do when visiting. Go early to avoid the crowds!  
• COSI is just the place for your active and busy kids. Are they ready to learn something new? A day at COSI might be just the thing. There are many activities, movies, and experiences to satisfy all ages. 
• The Works (Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology) is in Newark. This museum is a place where your kids can learn, create, and do! They have loads of interactive activities and many classes that you can sign up for. Originally a factory where steam engines were manufactured, it is now a museum dedicated to learning, discovery, and play. 

Have fun this spring break. We know that our staff here at Knox County Community Health Center are going to do some of these activities during spring break. We see an obstacle course in our plan and a trip to a park in our spring break plans!

Don’t forget, spring break is the perfect time to tackle annual wellness exams and dental cleanings. Make appointments for the whole family to be seen on the same day in order to keep on track and conveniently check them off your to-do list!